Programmable function key on wireless OBDII interface

ABSTRACT

A vehicle diagnostic device is provided that includes a programmable function to control a function on an emission computer workstation. The function key can be programmed to interact and manipulate with the workstation. The vehicle diagnostic device allows a user to wirelessly communicate with the workstation while located in the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent applicationentitled, “Programmable Function Key on Wireless OBDII Interface,” filedMar. 14, 2007, having Ser. No. 60/906,833, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a diagnostic device. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to wireless emissionsdiagnostic device having a programmable function key.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently manufactured vehicles are equipped with a special system calledOn-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II). OBD II monitors all engine and drivetrain sensors and actuators for shorts, open circuits, lazy sensors andout-of-range values as well as values that do not logically fit withother power train data. Thus, OBD II keeps track of all of thecomponents responsible for emissions and when one of them malfunctions,it signals the vehicle owner by illuminating a Maintenance IndicatorLamp (MIL), such as a check engine indicator. It also stores DiagnosticTrouble Codes (DTCs) designed to help a technician find and repair theemission related problems. OBD II also specifies the means forcommunicating diagnostic information to equipment used in diagnosing,repairing and testing the vehicle.

An illuminated MIL means that the OBD II system has detected a problemthat may cause increased emissions above the Federal Guidelines. Ablinking MIL indicates a severe engine misfire that can damage thecatalytic converter. The MIL is reserved for emission control andmonitored systems and may not be used for any other purpose. The “CheckEngine,” “Service Engine Soon” or other “engine symbol” message istypically used as an MIL indicator.

The Clean Air Act of 1990 requires inspection and maintenance (I/M)programs to incorporate OBD II testing as part of a vehicle's emissionsinspection program. When fully implemented, 1996 and newer model yearvehicles registered in a required emission test area must be testedannually. In order to conduct a test, a wired connection has to be madebetween a computer workstation and the data link connector (DLC) in thevehicle under test. This requires a long OBDII cable from the vehicle tothe workstation, which can interfere with the technician as he gets inand out of the vehicle during testing. Additionally, the cable does notallow the technician to manipulate the computer workstation from insidethe vehicle and thus requires the technician to unnecessarily return tothe computer workstation when he wants to manipulate the workstation.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method to send OBDIIdata wirelessly to the computer workstation and to wireless interactwith the computer workstation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the presentinvention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in someembodiments provides a wireless vehicle diagnostic device that includesa programmable function key in order to control a function on anemission computer workstation.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a vehicle diagnosticdevice used in emissions testing is provided, which comprises aprocessor that controls the vehicle diagnostic device used in emissionstesting, a memory that contains a software for use by the processor toconduct emissions testing, a communication protocol circuit incommunication with the processor and communicates in a communicationprotocol of a vehicle, a wireless communication module in communicationwith the processor and allows the vehicle diagnostic device tocommunicate wirelessly with a remote computing device, a plurality ofLEDs on a housing to indicate information to the user as to a state ofthe vehicle diagnostic device, and a programmable function key that isprogrammable to run a function on the remote computing device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling a remote workstation with a vehicle diagnostic device usedin emissions testing is provided and can include pressing a programmablefunction button on the vehicle diagnostic device used in emissionstesting to start an emission testing software on the workstation,displaying the emission testing software on a display of theworkstation, pressing the programmable function button to display a menuof functions of the software on the display of the workstation, cyclingthrough the various functions on the menu by pressing the programmablefunction button, and pressing the programmable function button to startthe emissions testing.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a vehiclediagnostic device used in emissions testing is provided, which comprisesa means for processing configured to control the vehicle diagnosticdevice used in emissions testing, a memory means configured to contain asoftware for use by the means for processing to conduct emissionstesting, a means for communicating configured to communicate in acommunication protocol of a vehicle and is in communication with themeans for processing, a means for wireless communication incommunication with the means for processing and allows the vehiclediagnostic device to communicate wirelessly with a remote computingdevice, a plurality of indicating means on a housing to indicateinformation to the user as to a state of the vehicle diagnostic device,and a programmable function means that is programmable to run a functionon the remote computing device.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless VCI according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2A illustrates the various indications of the power LED and thevehicle LED.

FIG. 2B illustrates the various indications of the wireless network LEDand wireless data LED.

FIG. 3 illustrates the wireless VCI connected to the DLC for a vehicleand communicating with the workstation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the components of the wirelessVCI.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present inventionprovides a wireless vehicle connector interface (VCI) that can transmitOBD II data to an emissions computer workstation. The wireless VCI canalso include a programmable function key in order to interface andmanipulate functions on the workstation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless VCI 100 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The wireless VCI 100 includes a housing 102 havingprotrusions 104 on the surface for better gripping of the wireless VCI100 by the user. The protrusions can be molded into the housing 102 andcan be made of a polymer material. Various keys are provided on thesurface of the wireless VCI 100 in order to interact with a computerworkstation (not shown).

A programmable function key 106 is provided to communicate with thecomputer workstation. The function key when pressed can perform variousfunctions depending on the programmed function. The function key can beprogrammed to display a menu screen on the workstation, for example, amenu screen for tests to be conducted during emission testing or ascreen showing the conditions of the OBD II readiness monitors of thevehicle under test. The function key can be programmed to print thescreen that is active on the workstation or clear DTCs in the vehiclewhen pressed. Additionally, the function key can be programmed to startrecording OBDII data from the vehicle when first pressed and then stoprecording when the function key is pressed for the second time. Inanother embodiment, the function key can be held to record OBD II dataand stop recording when the function key is released. The function keycan also be programmed to start and stop the emission testing sequenceon the workstation when the function key is pressed.

In one embodiment, the initial pressing of the function key will startan OBDII Live Data Application (Application). Once launched, the usercan cycle through various screens of the Application by pressing thefunction key. For example, the function key can bring up the readinessmonitor status, DTC (including the DTC's description) screen and otherrelated data such as time since engine start, distance traveled whilethe ML is activated, minutes run by the engine while MIL, is activated,number of warm-ups since DTCs are cleared, time since DTC cleared,distance driven since DTCs are cleared, and other vehicle data asdesired by the user. When the user presses the function key again, theApplication is instructed to take the user to emissions related datascreens where the O₂ sensor data, engine RPM, engine coolanttemperature, intake air temperature, fuel system status, barometricpressure, absolute throttle position sensor, intake manifold absolutepressure sensor, air flow rate sensor, vehicle speed, ignition timing,absolute load value, relative throttle positions, commanded EGR, EGRerror, commanded evaporative purge and other related data. The datascreen can be advanced by pressing the function key until all the datais shown and then to the beginning of the Application screen.

A “Yes” button 108 and a “No” button 110 are provided in order to answerqueries from the Application software. The queries can be part of theemissions test being performed, such as “are you sure you want to clearall active OBDII trouble codes?” The user can then press the “Yes” inorder for the VCI to clear the DTCs from the vehicle and the user willbe notified if the DTCs have been cleared or press the “No” button toreturn to the screen that displays the readiness monitors and the DTCs.By having the “Yes” or “No” button on the wireless VCI, the user cancommunicate the answer to the queries from inside the vehicle, and thusminimize the amount of times he needs to return to the workstation. Inother embodiments, the “Yes” and “No” buttons can also be programmablesimilar to the function key 106. Additionally, the “Yes” and “No”buttons can be used scroll through a screen on the workstation. In someembodiments, the “Yes” can scroll the screen up and the “No” can scrollthe screen down or vice versa.

The wireless VCI also includes on its surface various LED indicators toindicate certain status of the wireless VCI when viewed alone or incombination with each other. The following are but examples of what theLED can indicate and are not meant to be limiting. A wireless data LED112 is provided to indicate that the wireless VCI is off, on, iscommunicating with the vehicle or with the workstation and/or no dataactivity. A wireless network LED 114 is provided to indicate that thewireless VCI is off, on, a wireless connection not established, and/or awireless connection established with the workstation.

A vehicle data LED 116 is provided to indicate that the wireless VCI isoff, has good connection with the DLC, is in normal operations, is notconnected to the vehicle, low vehicle battery voltage, power on sequenceand/or updating firmware. A power LED 118 is provided to indicate nopower is being received by the VCI, normal operation, is not connectedto the vehicle, low vehicle battery voltage, power on sequence and/orupdating firmware.

The LEDs described herein can indicate the state of the wireless VCIalone or in combination with each other and are not limited to theseexamples. Examples of what the LEDs indicate are shown in the FIGS. 2and 2A below.

FIG. 2A illustrates the various indications of the power LED 118(Red/Green) and the vehicle data LED 116 (Yellow). When power LED 118and data LED 116 indicate “Off,” this means the tool has no power. Whenthe power LED 118 is “Green” and the data LED 116 is “On,” this meansthere is good connection with the vehicle DLC. When the power LED 118 is“Green” and the data LED 116 is “blinking,” this means the tool is innormal operations. When the power LED is “Red” and the data LED 116 is“On,” this means the tool is not connected to the vehicle or low vehiclebattery voltage. In one embodiment, the power can be supplied via thevehicle's battery through the DLC. When the power LED is “Red” and thedata LED is “blinking,” this means low vehicle battery voltage. Whenpower LED is “blinking” and the data is “Off,” this means that power onsequence or firmware update is in progress.

FIG. 2B illustrates the various indications of the wireless network LED114 (Green) and wireless data LED 112 (Green). The LEDs can indicatevarious operation status of the wireless VCI 100 depending on if theyare on, off, or blinking. The LEDs also assist the user to communicatewith customer service as to what is not functioning properly on the VCI.In one embodiment, when the network LED 114 and the data LED 112 areboth “Off,” this means the tool has no power. When the network LED is“Off” and the data LED is “On,” this means the tool is powered but nowireless connection. When the network LED is “Green” and the data LED is“blinking,” this means the tool is powered and the tool is connected andis communicating with the vehicle. When the network LED is “Green” andthe data LED is “Off,” this means no data activity.

Returning to FIG. 1, the wireless VCI includes an external antenna 120.In other embodiments, the antenna can be internal. The wireless VCI cancommunicate via any wireless communication means such as Wi-Fi (802.11),Radio Frequency (RF), Bluetooth, Infrared, WLAN, LAN, cellular,satellite, microwave, ultra-wideband, or other wireless communicationmeans. Because the VCI is wireless, the user can run the emission testin the vehicle and can minimize the exiting and entry of the vehicleduring testing.

A computer connection 122 is provided so that the user can connect tothe workstation via a wired connection when desired. The computerconnection 122 can be a USB, serial (RS232, for example), parallel orany other wired connection. The computer connection allows the VCI tocommunicate with the workstation to transfer data or to receive afirmware update. An OBDII connector 124 is provided so that a cable (notshow) can be connected at a first end to the OBDII connector 124 and ata second end to the DLC. The cable allows the vehicle's OBDII system tocommunicate with the wireless VCI. The wireless VCI can communicate invarious communication protocols, such as ISO 9141-2, J1850 PWM, J1850VPW, ISO 14230-4, ISO 15765-4 (CAN) and other communication protocols.The cable can also provide power to the wireless VCI from the vehicle'sbattery via a pin in the cable. Alternatively, the VCI can have its owninternal power (battery) or powered by an external source such as A/C orD/C or by docking to a docking station.

FIG. 3 illustrates the wireless VCI 100 connected to the DLC 132 of avehicle and communicating with the workstation 150. The wireless VCI 100can be connected with the DLC of the vehicle via the OBDII cable 130.The wireless VCI 100 can communicate with one or more workstation asdesired. The workstation includes the software and hardware required toconduct the emission test. Additionally the workstation includes anantenna 152 to wireless communicate with the wireless VCI.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of the wireless VCI 100. InFIG. 4, the wireless VCI 100 according to an embodiment of the inventionincludes a processor 202, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 204, afirst system bus 224, a memory subsystem 206, an internal non-volatilememory 208, a card reader 210 (optional), a second system bus 222, aconnector interface 218, a selectable signal translator 216, a wirelesscommunication circuitry 212 and LEDs 214. A vehicle communicationinterface 132 is in communication with the wireless VCI 100 throughconnector interface 218 via an external cable (not shown).

Selectable signal translator 216 communicates with the vehiclecommunication interface 132 through the connector interface 218. Signaltranslator 216 conditions signals received from an ECU unit through thevehicle communication interface 132 to a conditioned signal compatiblewith the wireless VCI 100. Signal translator 216 can communicate with,for example, the following communication protocols: J1850 (VPM and PWM),ISO 9141-2 signal, communication collision detection (CCD) (e.g.,Chrysler collision detection), data communication links (DCL), serialcommunication interface (SCI), S/F codes, a solenoid drive, J1708,RS232, Controller Area Network (CAN), Keyword 2000 (ISO 14230-4), OBD IIor other communication protocols that are implemented in a vehicle.

The circuitry to translate and send in a particular communicationprotocol can be selected by FPGA 204 (e.g., by tri-stating unusedtransceivers). Signal translator 216 is also coupled to FPGA 204 and thecard reader 210 (optional) via the first system bus 224. FPGA 204transmits to and receives signals (i.e., messages) from the ECU unitthrough signal translator 216.

The FPGA 204 is coupled to the processor 202 through various address,data and control lines by the second system bus 222. FPGA 204 is alsocoupled to the card reader 210 through the first system bus 224. Theprocessor 202 is also coupled to the LEDs 214 in order to provideinformation to the user.

Memory subsystem 206 and internal non-volatile memory 208 are coupled tothe second system bus 222, which allows for communication with theprocessor 202 and FPGA 204. Memory subsystem 206 can include anapplication dependent amount of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), ahard drive, and/or read only memory (ROM). Software to run the wirelessVCI 100 can be stored in the memory subsystem 208, including anydatabase.

Internal non-volatile memory 208 can be an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash ROM, or other similarmemory. Internal non-volatile memory 208 can provide, for example,storage for boot code, self-diagnostics, various drivers and space forFPGA images, if desired. If less than all of the modules are implementedin FPGA 204, memory 208 can contain downloadable images so that FPGA 204can be reconfigured for a different group of communication protocols.

Wireless communication circuit 212 communicates with the processor 202via second bus system 222. The wireless communication circuit can beconfigured to communicate to satellites, cellular phones (analog ordigital), Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, Infrared, Local Area Networks or otherwireless communication. The wireless communication circuit allows thewireless VCI 100 to communicate with other devices wirelessly includinga workstation, as explained above.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

1. A vehicle diagnostic device used in emissions testing, comprising: aprocessor that controls the vehicle diagnostic device used in theemissions testing; a memory that contains a software for use by theprocessor to conduct the emissions testing; a communication protocolcircuit in communication with the processor and communicates in acommunication protocol of a vehicle; a wireless communication module incommunication with the processor and allows the vehicle diagnosticdevice to communicate wirelessly with a remote computing device; aplurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on a housing to indicateinformation to a user as to a state of the vehicle diagnostic device;and a programmable function key that is programmable to run a functionon the remote computing device.
 2. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising of: a yes key in communication with the processor andconfigured to answer affirmatively to a question posed by the remotecomputing device; and a no key in communication with the processor andconfigured to answer negatively to a question posed by the remotecomputing device.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the yes and nobuttons are further configured to scroll through an information screendisplayed on a display of the remote computing device when pressed. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein the programmable function key isprogrammed to start an emission testing software on the remote computingdevice.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the programmable function keyis programmed to display a menu of the emission testing software on theremote computing device.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theprogrammable function key is programmed to record on-board diagnostic II(OBD II) data from the vehicle when pressed a first time and to stoprecording when pressed a second time.
 7. The device of claim 1, whereinthe programmable function key is programmed to clear diagnostic troublecodes (DTCs) stored in the vehicle.
 8. The device of claim 4, whereinthe programmable function key is programmed to display diagnosticinformation such as status of readiness monitors in the vehicle on adisplay of the remote computing device.
 9. A method of controlling aremote workstation with a vehicle diagnostic device used in emissionstesting, comprising: receiving a first input from a programmablefunction button on the vehicle diagnostic device used in the emissionstesting to start an emission testing software on the remote workstation;displaying the emission testing software on a display of the remoteworkstation; receiving a second input from the programmable functionbutton to display a menu of functions of the emission testing softwareon the display of the remote workstation; receiving a selection ofvarious functions on the menu through the programmable function button;and receiving a third input from the programmable function button tostart the emissions testing.
 10. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising: receiving an affirmative input from a yes key that isconfigured to answer affirmatively to a question posed by the emissiontesting software; and receiving a negative input from a no key that isconfigured to answer negatively to a question posed by the emissiontesting software.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:receiving a first directional input from a yes key that is configured toscroll information in a first direction; and receiving a seconddirectional input from a no key that is configured to scroll informationin a second direction.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:receiving a first recording input from the programmable function buttonto record on-board diagnostic II (OBD II) data from a vehicle whenpressed a first time; and receiving a second recording input from theprogrammable function button for a second time to stop recording ofon-board diagnostic II (OBD II) data from the vehicle.
 13. A vehiclediagnostic device used in emissions testing, comprising: means forprocessing configured to control the vehicle diagnostic device used inthe emissions testing; means for storing for configured to contain asoftware for use by the means for processing to conduct the emissionstesting; means for communicating configured to communicate in acommunication protocol of a vehicle and is in communication with themeans for processing; means for wireless communication in communicationwith the means for processing and allows the vehicle diagnostic deviceto communicate wirelessly with a remote computing device; means forindicating on a housing to indicate information to a user as to a stateof the vehicle diagnostic device; and means for programming functionthat is programmable to run a function on the remote computing device.14. The device of claim 13 further comprising of: means for respondingaffirmatively that is in communication with the means for processing andconfigured to answer affirmatively to a question posed by the remotecomputing device; and means for responding negatively that is incommunication with the means for processing and configured to answernegatively to a question posed by the remote computing device.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein means for responding affirmatively and meansfor responding negatively are further configured to scroll through aninformation screen displayed on a display of the remote computing devicewhen pressed.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the means forprogramming function is programmed to start an emission testing softwareon the remote computing device.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein themeans for programming function is programmed to display an emissionstesting menu of the software on the remote computing device.
 18. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein the means for programming function isprogrammed to record on-board diagnostic (OBD II) data from the vehiclewhen pressed a first time and to stop recording when pressed a secondtime.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for programmingfunction is programmed to clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) storedin the vehicle.
 20. The device of claim 13, wherein the means forprogramming function is programmed to display diagnostic informationsuch as status of readiness monitors in the vehicle on a display of theremote computing device.